Green Power

Paper Producer Buys All Wind

Mohawk Fine Papers, Inc., announced it has begun offsetting 100 percent of the annual electric power consumption across all its operations in New York and Ohio with the purchase of 100 million kWh of renewable energy certificates. A member of the EPA Green Power Partnership, Mohawk now joins an exclusive group of organizations-such as PepsiCo, Whole Foods Market, and the U.S. EPA-who have committed to fighting climate change by offsetting 100 percent of their purchased electricity use with renewable energy sources. Since the early 1990s, Mohawk has been actively involved in a number of environmental initiatives. In 2003 Mohawk became the first U.S. paper mill to use wind-generated electricity to manufacture paper. A member of the EPA's Green Power Partnership, Mohawk's current move to offset 100 percent of its purchased electricity will place the company on the EPA's Top Partner list of 100 percent Green Power Purchasers, the company said. Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly, 7/13/2007.

Stakeholder Comment Period for Draft Green-e GHG Protocol for Renewable Energy Ends Tuesday, August 21st

The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) would like to announce the release of the Draft Green-e Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol for Renewable Energy for stakeholder comments. CRS encourages all stakeholders to access the draft protocol and provide comments using the CRS electronic comment form. The intent of this protocol is to bring additional credibility to the market for GHG reductions or offsets derived from renewable energy project activities, and to further the development of the voluntary market for renewable energy.

This document establishes the eligibility requirements for Green-e certification of GHG emission reductions from renewable energy, the methodology used to calculate GHG emission reductions, and any other requirements related to tracking, prevention of double counting and double claiming, and verification. Appendix A provides the analysis and rationale for the approach demonstrated in this protocol. Stakeholder comments on the Draft Green-e GHG Protocol for Renewable Energy are due by Tuesday, August 21st. Only stakeholder comments received using the comment form will be entered into the official docket and publicly posted at the conclusion of the comment period. Source: CRS, 7/24/2007.

Visit U.S. DOE EERE Green Power Network for more information.

Renewable Energy Technologies

Invenergy Flips the Switch on Texas Wind Facility

Implementing a strategy of selling the facility's wind power into the wholesale market, Invenergy Wind, LLC put its Camp Springs wind farm into commercial operation. The 130.5-MW project (87 General Electric 1.5-MW turbines) is located in Scurry County just outside of Snyder, Texas. All power will be sold into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) wholesale market. Invenergy said that commodity price risk was mitigated under a long-term hedging structure that the company completed with Fortis Merchant and Private Banking; Fortis also arranged and provided construction financing for the facility. Equity investment was provided by affiliates of JP Morgan, Northwestern Mutual, Prudential Capital Group, and Wells Fargo. In the last three years, Invenergy Wind has completed development and construction of 686 MW of wind energy facilities in the U.S. and Europe with capital costs totaling $1.1 billion. Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly, 7/13/2007.

Colorado's Sangre De Cristo Electric Coop Embraces Small Wind Technology

Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, Inc., will become a national leader in consumer-scale renewable energy use when it erects a 35 ft. wind turbine at its headquarters Tuesday. The turbine, called the Skystream 3.7 and produced by Flagstaff, AZ-based Southwest Windpower, has a 1.8 kW rating and will provide power to the coop's headquarters in Buena Vista, CO.

Although the turbine will provide only a portion of the facility's energy requirements, it will serve as a public educational demonstration sight for the new technology. An interactive computer kiosk will show real-time statistics about what the mini-turbine is producing. "It is a prime time for co-ops and the utility industry as a whole to step up to the bat and make renewable energy not only visible but workable in our community," says Sangre De Cristo CEO Paul Erickson. "Our goal is to use this mini-turbine as an educational tool so that our consumers can see the "how" and the "what" of how turbines actually work."  Headwaters Energy & Finance LLC of Buena Vista, CO, in conjunction with Sangre De Cristo staff will perform the installation. Notable guests to include: CO State Senator Gail Schwartz, Sangre De Cristo CEO Paul Erickson, Chris Martin of Headwaters Energy & Finance LLC, Kathryn Wadsworth of the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association. Source: Sangre De Cristo Electric Association Press Release, June 20, 2007.

AEP Testing 1.2 MW NaS Battery for Power Generation (Ind. Report)

American Electric Power (AEP) has been using a 1.2 MW NaS battery in Charleston, W.Va. the past year and plans to install one twice the size elsewhere in the state next year. The battery, which cost about $2,500,000 US, is charged from the grid at night and discharged during the day when power usage peaks. Dozens of utilities are considering the battery, says Dan Mears, a consultant for the Japanese manufacturer, NGK Insulators. (Source; USA Today, July 5, ?07) Source: EP Overviews, 7/20/2007.

Inexpensive Solar Cell Technology Created

U.S. scientists have developed a technology to produce inexpensive solar cells that can be painted or printed on flexible plastic sheets. New Jersey Institute of Technology Professor Somenath Mitra said the process is so simple, even homeowners will someday be able to print sheets of the solar cells with inexpensive home-based inkjet printers and then attach the product to a wall or roof to create their own power stations. Purified silicon, also used for making computer chips, is a core material for fabricating conventional solar cells, Mitra said. However, the processing of a material such as purified silicon is beyond the reach of most consumers.

"Developing organic solar cells from polymers, however, is a cheap and potentially simpler alternative," he said. "We foresee a great deal of interest in our work because solar cells can be inexpensively printed or simply painted on exterior building walls and-or roof tops. Imagine some day driving in your hybrid car with a solar panel painted on the roof, which is producing electricity to drive the engine. The opportunities are endless." Mitra and his team reported the research in the June 21 issue of the Journal of Materials Chemistry. Source: United Press International, 07/19/07.

ScottishPower to Burn Biomass Instead of Coal

Power producer ScottishPower plans to substitute energy crops grown by local farmers for coal burned today at Scotland's two coal fired power stations. But it's apparently only expecting limited benefit for the investment. Up to two produce 250,000 tonnes of purpose-grown biomass are to provide fuel for the company's Cockenzie and Longannet coal power plants. ScottishPower already burns biomass such as wood at the stations as part of its renewable program. Energy crops provide carbon neutral fuel, given that the CO2 that is released when the crop is burned is equal to the CO2 captured as the plant is grown. The project is to use about 12 percent of Scotland's total agricultural land--roughly 35,000 hectares--yet is expected to displace only 5 percent of the company's coal requirements by 2013, the company acknowledged today in a statement. The crops are to be a mix, including cereal crops and short rotational crop such as willow coppice.

ScottishPower, now part of the Iberdrola group, plans to grow the crops on marginal land where possible, so as to minimize impact on food crops. ScottishPower is the U.K.'s largest generator and developer and operator of on-shore wind energy. The company calls the move "an excellent opportunity for farmers with ScottishPower offering support for the Scottish agricultural community." Source: Inside Greentech, 07/19/07.  

How About a Wind Farm in Our Area

There's no free lunch when it comes to energy. While there is some talk in Washington of restoring the nuclear power industry, Monday's 6.8-magnitude quake in Japan and the subsequent leak of low-level radioactive material won't do the industry's cause much good. Nuclear energy certainly has its advantages, but the threat of massive disasters like the Chernobyl Power Plant in Ukraine demonstrates the potential for disaster. Natural disasters, human failures and the potential for terrorism will always make nuclear power plants an "iffy" proposition. Not that alternatives like coal are all that attractive, once one takes the cost of mining and transporting the fuel, and dealing with the emissions into account. For the future, we'll need as wide a variety of energy sources as possible, whether nuclear, coal, oil, solar, hydro or wind. Toward that end, the Nebraska Public Power District is seeking proposals for up to 100 Megawatts of wind-powered generation capacity somewhere near its power transmission facilities. The proposal indicates just how quickly wind power can be added. While conventional power plants take years and nuclear plants might take a decade or more to bring on line, NPPD hopes to have the new wind farm pumping energy into the state electric grid by Dec. 31, 2008.

The timeline should be doable. Ground was broken on the 60-Megawatt, 36-generator NPPD wind farm in Ainsworth in April 2005, and the facility was turned over to the owner on Sept. 15 of that year. The publicly-owned utility wants to encourage private developers and local entities using new Community Based Energy Development legislation to get into the act. We've watched with curiosity as huge wind turbine blades negotiate the U.S. Highway 83 corners in McCook on their way north and south, and would like to see some of them find a home in our area. Not only would a Southwest Nebraska wind farm like that in north central Nebraska have the obvious benefits that come with alternative energy, but we can imagine other advantages. For one, it wouldn't be out of line to expect families to take a detour off Interstates 80 or 70 to enjoy a view of huge, churning turbines harvesting wind, one of the plains states' most plentiful products. For another, it would demonstrate our region's commitment to the future ? helping settle territory already staked out by the booming ethanol industry. We hope someone in Southwest Nebraska takes NPPD up on its offer. Source: McCook Daily Gazette, 07/19/07.

Making Sense of Geothermal Energy

Geothermal, or earth energy, is perhaps the most underutilized renewable source of energy. Whether using the earth's naturally stable temperature to provide heating and cooling, or harnessing extreme heat from deep below the earth's surface to generate electricity, the potential of geothermal energy has until now been largely untapped. But the geothermal marketplace is growing fast. Understanding the current technologies involved and the economics behind them can help building designers, business executives, and homeowners to take advantage of this renewable, clean and efficient energy source. There are two types of energy under the geothermal category, each markedly different from the other.

A ground source heat pump, also known as a geo-exchange system, utilizes the near-constant temperature of soil just beneath the earth's surface to heat or cool a building. Geo-exchange systems consist of an external loop of piping buried in the ground below the frost line, and an internal loop of piping within the building, filled with water or a mixture of water and chemicals. The fluid absorbs heat in the winter and transfers it to the house, while in summer heat from the house will be transferred outside. Geo-exchange is a proven technology now in use across North America. According to industry figures, geothermal heat pumps can reduce home heating and cooling costs by up to 70 percent annually. The other type of geothermal energy involves harnessing more extreme temperatures to create steam to drive a turbine and to produce electricity. In 2003, this type of geothermal power supplied just 0.416 percent of the world's energy, reports the International Energy Agency (IEA), indicating tremendous potential for expansion.

Generally, finding high enough temperatures requires drilling several kilometers deep. Geothermal reservoirs that are at least 240 degrees Celsius are required to generate high pressure hot water to create steam, although other methods can tap less extreme temperatures by using liquids with lower boiling points. While high-grade 'hydrothermal' resources are found all over the world, in many cases natural reservoirs are not sufficiently porous or permeable to support commercial power production. In these cases, the reservoirs can be 'stimulated', sometimes by pumping water or chemical mixtures through the structures to open up new cracks and to interconnect geothermal pools to create a viable heat source.

This method is called Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), and studies indicate it could play a significant role in our energy future, as an environmentally-friendly power generation method with potentially positive economics. Last year, an MIT study (14.05 MB PDF) evaluated the potential for EGS in the United States, concluding it could supply a substantial portion of the country's future electricity, probably at competitive prices and with minimal environmental impact. With an investment of $1 billion over the next fifteen years, geothermal could provide at least 10 percent of U.S. electricity by 2050, says the expert panel behind the report. Though it has received less publicity than hydrogen, solar or wind energy, geothermal possesses many of the positive characteristics of other renewable energies without some of the potential drawbacks.

The great advantage of geothermal is that a lack of fuel inputs means the system costs less to run and is not subject to fluctuating fossil fuel prices. Even with high upfront costs, geo-exchange systems are generally proven cost-effective, and commercial geothermal can also take advantage of low operating costs to produce competitive power. The other great advantage is that geo-exchange and hydrothermal technologies are well developed and proven in a variety of applications. As a proven technology with vast potential, geothermal energy is poised to take an increasing share of attention and investment dollars over the next several decades. For more information, visit GLOBE-Net.  Contact John Wiebe, President and CEO, The GLOBE Foundation of Canada, 604-775-7300.  Source: The Globe Foundation of Canada, 07/19/07.

12 Ethanol Questions and Myths

1. Is there enough corn to meet the demand for ethanol?

The USDA estimated that the corn crop for 2007 will be more than 14 billion bushels. The ethanol industry will require approximately 2.3 billion bushels or about 16 percent of the nation's corn supply to produce an estimated 6.5 billion gallons of ethanol for 2007. The National Corn Growers Association projects that ethanol demand and corn supply will continue on an even trend in the coming years because of increased corn yields through genetic improvements. On average, corn yields have increased by 3.5 bushels per acre per year since 1995. Based on the historical data, the NCGA predicts corn yields to increase to around 180 bushels per acre by 2015 compared to the 150 bushels per acre in 2006.

2. Isn't cellulosic really the future?

Corn is the foundation for the rapid growth of the ethanol industry, filling the market demand last year when refiners chose to remove MTBE from the fuel stream. While cellulose will be part of the future, the technology for commercial scale production is just being developed today. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) are committed to developing cellulosic technology and released a joint study in 2005 that stated there is enough cellulosic biomass available in the U.S. to produce more than one-third of the current demand for transportation fuels in our country.

3. Will the ethanol industry oversupply the current market?

The Energy Information Association (EIA) estimated that the U.S. gasoline market will grow from approximately 142 billion gallons per year today to 163 billion gallons of gasoline by 2015. A 10 percent blend rate in the total U.S. gasoline supply would require 14.1 billion gallons annually for today's market, growing to 16.3 billion gallons by 2015. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) currently estimates that there are about six million flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) on the road today and that the annual production of FFVs will increase by two million each year through 2012. Given those estimates and projecting each FFV to use, on average, 600 gallons per year, the potential ethanol market would need to increase by 11 billion gallons to 27.2 billion gallons by the year 2015 to meet FFV demand and achieve a 10 percent blend in our nation's gasoline supply. 
  
4. Is ethanol responsible for higher food prices?

A recent study commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) showed that rising energy prices have a greater impact on food prices than does the price of corn. The study stated that a 33 percent increase in crude oil prices, which translates into a $1 per gallon increase in the price of regular gasoline, results in a .6 percent to .9 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food, while an equivalent increase in corn prices ($1 per bushel) would cause the CPI for food to increase by only .3 percent. In addition, the areas of the CPI impacted by corn prices - meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products - account for only 15 percent of the overall CPI.

5. Will ethanol create a shortage of corn needed to feed the world's population?

According to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), the United States continues to serve as the world's top exporter of corn despite the continued growth of the ethanol industry. In fact, more than 50 percent of the corn grown in the U.S. is still used as livestock feed, while less than 10 percent of the crop is used in items for human consumption. The majority of the U.S. corn export is used to feed livestock in developed countries.

6. Can ethanol really impact American imports?

According to the EIA, imports account for 65 percent of our crude oil supply and oil imports are the largest component of the expanding U.S. trade deficit. The production of nearly five billion gallons of ethanol eliminates just over 200 million barrels of oil annually - saving the American economy about $11 billion.

7. Don't corn farmers and ethanol producers benefit the most from ethanol?

While it is true that increased corn prices and farmer investment in ethanol production facilities have helped the economies of rural America, the ethanol industry has had a major impact on other areas of the American economy. According to a recent report prepared for the RFA by John M. Urbanchuk, the ethanol industry in 2006 supported the creation of 163,034 jobs in all sectors of the economy, including more than 20,000 jobs in America's manufacturing sector.

8. Doesn't it take more energy to produce ethanol than it yields?

There have been nine different groups that have studied the energy balance issue over the years and eight of the nine concluded that ethanol produces a positive energy balance. A few have published multiple reports which show ethanol energy yield continues to increase as farming practices improve and ethanol production facilities incorporate the latest in technology. The USDA, working with Argonne National Labs, concluded ethanol yields a 34 percent BTU improvement. More importantly, the study showed that for every BTU of liquid fossil fuel used primarily in farming and transportation to the ethanol facility, ethanol provides six times the BTU extension of our liquid fossil fuels. 
  
9. Are government subsidies supporting ethanol production today?

The Blender's Tax Credit is the 51 cents per gallon tax credit that goes to the petroleum industry as an incentive to blend ethanol into their gasoline. The incentive is necessary as many oil companies would choose not to blend ethanol with gasoline without the credit in place as it displaces gasoline from their overall volume. The import tariff applies to ethanol produced in other countries and sold to the United States at an ad valorem tariff of 2.5 percent of the product value. To prevent U.S. tax dollars from providing additional subsidies to foreign-produced ethanol, there is a secondary duty of 54 cents per gallon that was created to offset the value of the ethanol tax credit taken by the petroleum industry when ethanol is blended with gasoline.

10. Are there enough FFVs and fueling locations?

Today, there are more than six million FFVs on America's roads and approximately two million more will be produced each year, according to the NEVC. The NEVC also reported that there are just over 1,200 E85 stations in the United States. The number of E85 fueling locations in the United States has increased tremendously since 2006 when there were less than 750 E85 stations. VeraSun, through the marketing of its own E85, VE85 currently supplies almost 10 percent of the E85 fueling locations. There are more than 90 stations in eight states selling VE85

11. Ethanol is a small part of the country's energy supply. Why even bother?

America has a significant -- and growing -- dependence on foreign oil. The EIA forecasts that between 2000 and 2025, the nation's oil consumption will grow 44 percent and dependence on imports will grow from 54 percent to 70 percent. Ethanol is produced in America and from a renewable source - it offers a viable fuel alternative that can reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. In 2006, the ethanol industry supported the creation of more than 160,000 jobs in all sectors of the U.S. economy, according to a study commissioned by the RFA.

12. Does the use of ethanol really have a positive impact on the environment?

Ethanol adds oxygen to fuel, reducing the amount of harmful tailpipe emissions released when burned. In fact, The American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago credits ethanol-blended fuel with reducing smog-forming emissions there by 25 percent since 1990. In addition, carbon dioxide released during ethanol production is actually absorbed by grain or other biomass used to make ethanol. Source: VeraSun Energy, Cellulose Ethanol Market Potential Report, 7/24/2007.

PG&E Adds 85 Megawatts of Renewable Wind Energy to Its Power Mix

Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced today it has entered into a 15-year agreement with PPM Energy, a developer of utility-scale wind power projects, to purchase renewable wind energy from the company's Klondike III Wind Project in Sherman County, Oregon. The project will deliver up to 85 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to PG&E's customers throughout Northern and Central California. "Clean, renewable wind power is central to PG&E's commitment to increase the amount of reliable, environmentally-responsible energy in California," said Fong Wan, vice president of Energy Procurement, PG&E. "Today's agreement further advances PG&E in meeting our renewable energy goals."

This is the second major wind project that PG&E has signed with PPM Energy. In 2006, PG&E began delivering 75 MW of clean, renewable wind energy as part of a 15-year agreement to purchase wind power from the Shiloh Wind Power Project in Solano County, California. The Klondike project is currently under construction and is expected to begin delivering electricity later this year.

PG&E has a long history of developing, generating, and purchasing renewable power. PG&E currently supplies 12 percent of its energy from qualifying renewable sources under California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program. Of this amount, approximately 11 percent of the renewable energy is derived from wind. With more than 50 percent of the energy PG&E delivers to its customers coming from generating sources that emit no carbon dioxide, PG&E provides among the cleanest energy in the nation.

PG&E continues to aggressively add renewable electric power resources to its supply. In addition to Klondike, PG&E recently announced solar contracts with Cleantech America and GreenVolts, and a 25.5 MW contract with Western GeoPower, Inc. for a new geothermal energy facility in Sonoma County, California. PG&E is seeking regulatory approval of these renewable energy contracts resulting from PG&E's 2006 RPS solicitation. PG&E is continuing discussions with additional bidders that made offers and were short listed in the 2006 RPS solicitation, and just received bids for additional renewable energy in its 2007 solicitation.

California's RPS Program requires each utility to increase its procurement of eligible renewable generating resources by one percent of load per year to achieve a 20 percent renewables goal by 2010. The RPS Program was passed by the Legislature and is managed by California's Public Commission and Energy Commission. Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company, 07/24/07.

DuPont to Lead $100 Million Federal Program to Advance Solar Cell Module Research

As part of its strategy to be the leader in developing some of the key materials for more efficient solar panels, DuPont today announced that it will be managing the critical phase of prototype development and applications testing for the newly formed DuPont-University of Delaware Very High Efficiency Solar Cell (VHESC) Consortium. The announcement follows the University of Delaware's demonstration of a viable design for a solar cell with a potential efficiency increase of 30 percent.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded the consortium $12.2 million as part of a three-year, multi-phase program that could total up to $100 million. DuPont, the only company with more than eight key materials used in solar panels, will manage the consortium of proposed companies and scientific institutions dedicated to the optimization of the VHESC solar cells for efficiency and cost. The company has a 30-year history of science and innovation in the solar industry, developing new materials that make solar cells smaller and lighter, more efficient and cost effective. Solar panels convert light into electrical energy through the use of photovoltaic solar cells.

The DuPont-University of Delaware VHESC consortium initially will focus on the development of affordable portable battery chargers based on ultra-high efficiency solar cells, which allow readily deployable recharging of batteries. The proposed system offers significant improvements in solar cell efficiencies compared to existing battery chargers and record flat plate terrestrial solar cells that collect both the direct and diffuse radiation and are not mobile.

Today, American soldiers carry packs that weigh nearly 100 pounds, of which about 20 pounds are the three-day supply of batteries needed to power their gear. The DARPA program aims to dramatically improve battery life and provide the soldier with more power at reduced weight, thus improving mobility, survivability and the availability of advanced electronic technologies on the battlefield. With the higher efficiency of the VHESC technology, solar rechargers could be integrated into common battlefield devices such as night vision goggles, radios and GPS navigation systems.

DuPont offers the broadest portfolio in the photovoltaic solar market, with eight key materials used to make solar cells and modules. The company is manufacturing, or conducting research on, solar energy products at three sites in the United States, as well as in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, China and Japan. By 2015, DuPont will grow our annual revenues by at least $2 billion from products that create energy efficiency and/or significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions for our customers. Some of this growth will be achieved through solar panel technology. DuPont provides materials for conducting the electricity produced by the cell and for encapsulation of cell assemblies into environmentally stable panels for protection from moisture, UV rays and impact. DuPont is investing approximately $100 million to expand its product offerings in this rapidly growing market.

DuPont -- one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals 16 years ago --has broadened its sustainability commitments beyond internal footprint reduction to include market-driven targets for both revenue and research and development investments. The goals are tied directly to business growth, specifically to the development of safer and environmentally improved new products for key global markets, including products that help increase energy efficiency. Source: PRNewswire, 07/23/2007.

Waverly Light and Power Purchases Two Wind Turbines

Waverly Light and Power has purchased two AWE54-900 kW wind turbines from Americas Wind Energy, Inc. in a $3.4 million investment. The 900 kW turbines are scheduled to be in operation by the summer of 2008 and together will provide over 4 million kWhs of electricity for the community. The units will be located east of Waverly, one on the Remley Farm and the other on an adjacent 70-acre farm site. "We searched to find extremely durable units featuring direct drive technology new to this country," said Glenn Cannon, General Manager of Waverly Light and Power. "We're excited about pioneering this technology in the Midwest and the United States."

As the first public power system to own and operate wind generation in the Midwest, Waverly Light and Power continues to lead the industry in using renewable energy resources and is committed to providing 20 percent renewable energy by the year 2020 as part of Waverly Light and Power's 20 by 2020 campaign initiated by the Board of Trustees in 2006. The new wind turbines will join Skeets 4, currently in operation two miles north of Waverly and three hydro turbines located on the Cedar River. Source: Waverly Light and Power, 7/24/2007.

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Outreach, Education, Reports & Studies

Geothermal Heat Pump Workshop September 11-12, 2007

Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric) and Western Area Power Administration (Western) are hosting a Geothermal Heat Pump Workshop on September 11-12, 2007 in Bismarck, ND at the Country Inn and Suites. The workshop is sponsored by the American Public Power Association (APPA), the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), and the Utility Geothermal Working Group (UGWG).

Georg Shultz the Director, Electric Staff Division for the USDA's Rural Utility Services (RUS), will give an update on the RUS's work with cooperatives on the installation geothermal heat pumps (GHP) during Wednesday's lunch. The agenda is below. Attendees will learn how to use Western's new GHP Handbook and accompanying worksheets to determine the benefits and costs of GHP programs from the utility and customer perspectives. They will glean knowledge from utilities that have developed and implemented the programs. They will also get the results of "A Tale of Two Buildings", where side by side building energy use is compared, one using GHP and the other using conventional HVAC. The workshop trainers are Katherine Johnson, Market Development Group Partner, and Guy Nelson, UGWG Team Leader.

Registration fee is $50 and covers workshop materials, meals, and refreshments. The agenda and hotel information is below. For more information, call Guy Nelson , Utility Geothermal Working Group, 541-994-4670.  Source: Western Release, 7/19/2007.

Solar Power 2007 - August 1 Deadline to Apply for SEPA'S Utility Scholarship Approaching Quickly

SEPA is offering a limited number of scholarships to utility employees who could not otherwise attend Solar Power 2007 due to travel or budget constraints. The deadline to submit applications is August 1, 2007. Source: SEPA, 7/20/2007.

SEPA Sponsors -- Low-Cost/ No-Cost Solar Ideas -- Conference Call For Non-Member Utilities

On Tuesday, July 17 SEPA sponsored a free conference call designed for utilities outside of the traditional sunbelt -- solar can provide solutions for utilities with low rates, smaller sizes, and less solar resource. In partnership with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), and the American Public Power Association (APPA), SEPA had over 70 utilities listen in, many of whom with which SEPA has no prior relationship or interaction. The three speakers outlined solar program ideas that cost $50,000/yr or less and can help a utility get started in solar.

MP Recording or Windows Media Player

(download available through the "Members Only" section of the SEPA website - right-click and "save-as")

Presentations:

1. Jim White, Chelan PUD: Hard copy
2. John Root, Muscatine Power: Hard copy
3. Dean Talbott, Minnesota Power: Hard copy

Source: SEPA, 07/20/07.

DOE Releases New Building Best Practices Handbook for Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America program has released a new best practices handbook for builders, High-Performance Home Technologies: Solar Thermal & Photovoltaic Systems. The guidebook explains current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices and provides useful tips for builders and homebuyers. The book also enhances the information contained in the previous Best Practices volumes which give climate-specific tips for energy-efficient building in five climate zones. Source: DOE Release, 7/17/2007.

Summit on Increasing Renewable Energy in the Western Grid

The Western Governors' Association National Wind Coordinating Collaborative, and Geothermal Energy Association invite you to join us on September 27 - 28, in Ft. Collins, Colo., for a summit on Increasing Renewable Energy in the Western Grid. This event is an executive leadership forum for discussing recent developments influencing demand for renewable energy and the implications for integrating large amounts of renewable energy into the western transmission grid. We will also examine transmission expansion possibilities for accommodating greater levels of renewables and seek commitments from regional and national leaders to moving such activities forward.

An incredible group of speakers has committed to attending, including:

1. Dave Freudenthal, Governor of Wyoming
2. Jon Wellinghoff, Commissioner for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
3. Tim Meeks, Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration
4. Steve Wright, Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration
5. Jeff Sterba, PNM CEO
6. Yakout Mansour, California ISO President and CEO
7. and many other notable Western energy leaders.

Source: NWCC, 7/16/2007.

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News from Washington

FY 08 Appropriations for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Full House and Senate Committee Vote for Increase in EE/RE Funding

The House passed the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill of 2008 (H.R. 2641, H. Rept. 110-85) July 17 by a vote of 312-112. The House Bill appropriates $1.98 billion for Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) programs for FY 2008, $742 million (60 percent) more than the Administration's FY 2008 request of $1.23 billion and $504 million more than FY 07 enacted. Congressionally directed activities were funded by the House at $104.3 million.

Ten amendments to H.R. 2641 were considered. Only one (H.Amdt.500) passed on a voice vote to eliminate an $0.5 million earmark. Rep. John Campbell (R-CA) offered an amendment (H.Amdt.509) to prohibit use of funds for each earmark listed in the bill. Rep. Campbell said ?This particular amendment would eliminate all the earmarks in the bill, all 800 of them, all $1.1 billion of them.... the fact is, Mr. Chairman, that the process by which these earmarks happen stinks. And I believe that this process is terrible and that until we reform this process, we should eliminate all earmarks.? The amendment failed 39-388.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations reported the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill of 2008 (S. 1751, S. Rept. 110-127) out of Committee on June 28. The Senate Bill appropriates $1.72 billion for Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE/RE) programs for FY 2008, $479 million (39 percent) more than the Administration's FY 2008 request and $241 million more than FY 07 enacted. Congressionally directed activities were funded by the Senate Committee at $91.0 million.

According to the Senate report, for every dollar invested in energy efficiency R&D, the US economy receives about $20 in return through energy savings, new jobs and new products. The Committee supports increases in efficiency programs above the President?s request. The report finds that the President's goal of reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent in the next ten years, coupled with the increased biomass R&D budget, could significantly reduce the Nation's "oil addiction." In particular, lowering feedstock costs and ensuring sustainable supplies of biomass are necessary to greatly increase the amount of biofuels production in the United States. The Committee also believes that solar energy could provide hundreds of thousands of new, high-tech jobs throughout the United States and could reduce natural gas demand on the order of billions of cubic feet.

Renewable Energy Appropriations:
The House and Senate restored funding for two core DOE renewable energy programs, geothermal energy and hydropower, which had been eliminated in the Administration's FY 2008 budget request. The House appropriated $44.2 million for geothermal energy, a nearly nine-fold increase over the $5.0 million enacted in FY 2007 and almost double the $22.3 million enacted in FY 2006. The Senate appropriated $25.0 million for geothermal energy. The House appropriated $22.0 million for hydropower, well above the $0.5 million enacted in 2006. The Senate appropriated $2.0 million for hydropower.

The House increased funding for biomass and biorefinery systems R&D to $250 million, which is $70.7 million (39 percent) greater than the FY 2008 request. The Senate increased funding for biomass and biorefinery systems R&D to $244 million, which is $64.7 million (36 percent) greater than the FY 2008 request. The House and Senate both increased funding for wind power to $57.5 million, an increase of $17.4 million (44 percent) over the Administration's FY 2008 request.

The House increased funding for solar power to $200 million, $51.7 million (35 percent) above the Administration's FY 2008 request. The Senate increased funding for solar power to $180 million, $31.7 million (21 percent) above the Administration's FY 2008 request. The Senate funded ocean technologies, a new program, at $8.0 million. The Administration's request for $7.5 million for the Asia Pacific Partnership was not approved by the House or Senate.

Energy Efficiency Appropriations:
The House bill boosts funding for building technologies to $146 million, $60.0 million (69 percent) more than the FY 2008 request. The Senate bill boosts funding for building technologies to $137 million, $50.5 million (58 percent) more than the FY 2008 request.

The Federal Energy Management Program received $27.0 million from the House, $10.2 million (61 percent) greater than the FY 2008 request. The Federal Energy Management Program received $23.0 million from the Senate, $6.2 million (37 percent) greater than the FY 2008 request.

House and Senate funding for industrial technologies rose to $57 million, $11.0 million (24 percent) more than the FY 2008 request. House funding of vehicle technologies increased to $235 million, $59.3 million (34 percent) above the FY 2008 request. Senate funding of vehicle technologies increased to $230 million, $53.9 million (31 percent) above the FY 2008 request.

Weatherization assistance program grants are increased by the House by $97 million to $241 million, 67 percent above the FY 2008 request. Weatherization assistance program grants are increased by the Senate by $92 million to $236 million, 64 percent above the FY 2008 request. The House and Senate approved an additional $4.6 million for weatherization training and technical assistance.

The State Energy Program Grants received $49.5 million from the House, a $4.0 million (9 percent) increase over the FY 2008 request but the same as FY 2007 enacted. The State Energy Program Grants received $55 million from the Senate, a $9.5 million (21 percent) increase over the FY 2008 request.

EE/RE Budget Request:
The President?s budget request of $1.24 billion for EE/RE is $238 million (16 percent) below FY 2007 enacted. The President?s budget request of $115 million for the office of Electric Delivery and Energy Reliability is $22 million (16 percent) below FY 2007 enacted. This office is responsible for Distributed Energy Resources (DER), which includes many EE/RE technologies and programs.

Fossil Fuel R&D and Nuclear Appropriations:
While the President's request of $567 million for fossil fuel R&D is slightly below FY 2007 enacted ($26 million and 4 percent), the President's request of $802 million for nuclear power is $320 million (66 percent) above FY 2007 enacted. Both the full House and Senate Committee have appropriated increases for fossil fuel R&D, up $142 million (25 percent) in the House and up $241 million (43 percent) in the Senate. Both the House and Senate have appropriated less than the President's request for nuclear power, down $42 million (5 percent) in the House and down $82 million (10 percent) in the Senate.

NOTE: Please visit the Energy and Environmental Studies Institute for the tables:

1. Table 1: FY 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations: DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
2. Table 2: FY 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations: DOE Energy Budget (Selected Programs)

 Please contact Fred Beck at 202-662-1892 or for more information. Source: Fred Beck, EESI, 7/20/2007.

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State Activities, Marketing & Market Research

Maine Audubon Now Supports Proposed Wind Power Projects

After withdrawing its previous petition to intervene, Maine Audubon, a Falmouth, Maine-based conservation organization, now plans to file with the Maine Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC) its official support for a 57 MW wind power project proposed for Stetson Mountain in Maine. Evergreen Windpower V LLC, the project's developer, plans to erect 38 turbines in the Stetson Mountain area, which is about seven miles southwest of Danforth, Maine. The company is seeking rezoning of approximately 4,800 acres - as well as a preliminary development permit for the project. Based on discussions with Maine Audubon, Evergreen Windpower has agreed to submit to LURC changes to improve its proposal from a wildlife conservation perspective, Maine Audubon notes. The company also has agreed to mitigate adverse effects on species that may be harmed by the turbines. In addition, Maine Audubon supports a 44-turbine wind power project on Maine's Kibby Mountain now that project developer TransCanada has amended its application to LURC to include additional measures to reduce potential harm to wildlife, habitat and scenic resources. Source: North American Windpower, 07/19/07.

Wind Energy from Coal Mine

Pacific Power proposes to use part of a restored surface coal mine as the site for a new 99-megawatt wind project it plans to build in the coming year. Anyone familiar with Wyoming weather is aware of the state's plentiful supply of wind.

The U.S. Department of Energy lists Wyoming as one of the best sites for wind power development in the nation, based on wind frequency and dependability. Coal is another abundant natural resource found in Wyoming. While both resources can be harnessed to produce the electricity so essential to daily life, coal mines and wind energy facilities don?t often intersect. Defying that convention, the utility plans to locate 66 wind turbines in an area where more than 40 years of surface coal mining took place. The company requested a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Wyoming Public Service Commission July 3 as part of its efforts to move the project forward.

Located approximately 12 miles north of Glenrock, in Converse County, Wyo., the former Dave Johnston Coal Mine operated from 1958 to 2000, supplying the primary source of fuel for the company's nearby Dave Johnston Power Plant. Approximately 104 million tons of coal were mined during this period. Commonly referred to as the Glenrock Mine, it was the second surface coal mine developed in the mineral-rich Powder River Basin. Full-scale final reclamation efforts to restore the nearly 9-mile stretch of land used for mining began in 1999, and reclamation work was completed in late 2005. Mountains of dirt were moved, miles of land reseeded with native vegetation and major contouring performed in order to return the landscape to its pre-mining appearance. Providing long-term grazing land and habitat for livestock and wildlife was a central part of the award-winning reclamation, which was recognized for excellence by both the state of Wyoming and the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining prior to completion. Although the 4,600 acres of mined land was successfully restored to its original condition nearly two years ago, Pacific Power plans to move beyond reclamation to once again use the former mine property to help meet its customers' growing electricity needs. The resource selected for the site this time around, however, is sustainable wind energy. The advantage of wind-powered generation is that wind is a free, renewable fuel source which does not produce any emissions.

The Glenrock Wind Energy Project will contribute to the 2,000 megawatts of cost-effective renewable energy PacifiCorp, which includes Pacific Power and sister company Rocky Mountain Power, expects to have included in its generation resource mix by 2013. The project also will provide significant tax revenue to state, county and local jurisdictions. The company plans to begin construction as soon as all necessary permits and approvals are in place and hopes to be able to complete the project by October 2008. The proposed project site is located entirely on land owned by the company and encompasses more than 14,000 acres, a portion of which includes the former mine site. The project will include 66 General Electric wind turbines, along with associated towers, foundations, roads, cables and communications equipment for operation of the wind facility. All aspects of the project will be closely monitored to ensure reclaimed lands are maintained in accordance with the company's mine permit. The project will be designed and constructed in such a manner as to limit the impact to the land by new facilities and equipment required for plant operation. Access and construction will remain limited to designated areas.

Wyoming has the potential to site a large number of wind projects. This fact was recognized in the company's 2007 Integrated Resource Plan, which specifically identifies Wyoming as a candidate for location of new wind facilities. Testing at the Glenrock Wind Energy Project site revealed good wind strength and availability; and the location is within relatively close proximity to an existing transmission system. The ability to site the project on company-owned land also helps to reduce the overall project cost. Pacific Power is in the process of evaluating several other locations within and outside the state to determine the most appropriate sites for new wind energy facilities. A diverse resource portfolio that includes both coal technologies and renewable resources, as well as other resources such as natural gas-fueled and hydroelectric generation, is expected to result in the overall least-cost/least-risk balance for Pacific Power customers. Source: CarbonFree, 07/19/07.

Utilities Discuss Their Commitments to Renewable Energy Resources

Utilities like green energy. They also like the tax benefits that come with providing them. While such investments have proved fruitful, power companies are expressing concerns that those emerging technologies are still expensive and that the permitting process is just as onerous as other fuel sources. Much of the growth so far in the renewable energy sector is largely because of government-sponsored tax breaks and state renewable mandates that instruct utilities to provide a certain level of green energy. The goal is to create demand, which in turn attracts suppliers to the field and ultimately leads to the development of newer and better products and services. It's not just good for the environment. It's also healthy for companies' bottom lines. About 20 percent of all utilities nationally participate in green energy programs. Those 600 utilities are giving 40 million customers in 34 states the ability to purchase some level of renewable energy. Consumers in all states, however, can ensure the advancement of renewable energy by buying credits from utilities.

Investing in renewable energy is definitely not risk free. Utilities are understandably nervous about putting capital into emerging technologies that may not have an immediate payback and that may not adequately be recovered through the rate base. But proactive companies suggest that the resistance can be overcome through "integrated resource planning" that forecast generation needs and what it will take to provide power. Take Portland General Electric, whose generation mix must include 25 percent green energy by 2025: It is now trying to acquire more renewable power that includes wind, solar and tidal facilities. It also plans to utilize coal gasification. It says that it was able to get an automatic rate adjustment clause approved by regulators. That simply allows the utility to pass its higher costs to consumers if underlying fuel prices rise or the initial projections are wrong. Source: Ken Silverstein, EnergyBiz Insider via SEPA News, 7/20/2007.

Texas PUC Calls for Eight Renewable Energy Zones for 10,000-25,000 MW of Wind

In a much-anticipated decision following intense efforts by the wind industry, the Public Utility Commission of Texas selected eight -- competitive renewable energy zones -- (CREZ) for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) territory, directing ERCOT to develop transmission plans for wind capacity in the range of between 10,000 MW and 25,000 MW. The decision's implications are hard to overstate: For reference, as of March 31, 11,699 MW in capacity were installed in the entire U.S. The ruling is particularly important because it decides the amount of capacity that can go in the zones. The verdict: wind is limited only by the amount that can be placed onto the ERCOT system.

CREZ designation allows for areas with significant renewable energy resources to be connected to the transmission grid through transmission lines that will be planned by ERCOT and paid for by all consumers across the Texas grid. The ruling was immediately hailed by wind energy advocates as a landmark and even historic decision. "Santa paid a visit to Texas today, and left a CREZ in just about every stocking," said Mike Sloan, managing consultant of the Wind Coalition in a note to his membership.

While the ruling is the biggest milestone in the CREZ process, further regulatory details still need to be worked out. CREZs are viewed as a model for other regions to solve the "chicken-or-the-egg" transmission dilemma in which wind power developers are reluctant to build projects in areas that have strong wind resources but lack transmission, while transmission developers do not want to put in lines to such wind-rich areas without any generation facilities present. Colorado recently initiated a process that will also ultimately establish renewable energy zones for transmission planning purposes. Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly, 7/20/2007.

Little Rock Wind Blade Facility to Employ 1,000

LM Glasfiber announced plans to open a new wind turbine blade production facility in Little Rock, Ark. -- a plant that will employ over 1,000 people within five years. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2008. "The Little Rock plant is key to enabling us to serve our growing portfolio of customers in North America. The facility will help secure our customers" long-term blade supply, thereby enabling their ambitious growth strategies while also increasing the robustness and visibility of LM Glasfiber's North American sales," said CEO Roland M. Sunden.
 
The Little Rock plant will be LM Glasfiber's third North American production facility, effectively doubling the capacity of the existing factories in Grand Forks, N.D., and Gasp', Quebec. This latest capacity expansion reflects an overall strong market demand coupled with optimism for continued stability in the U.S. market, the company said.

"We couldn't be happier with the location," said Sunden. "Not only is the site ideally located to serve some of the central U.S. demand for wind development, but Arkansas was able to accommodate our aggressive ramp-up schedule . . . . The site itself offers excellent logistical options, whether by road, rail, air, or marine. And when we considered the kind of amenities that are conducive for LM Glasfiber to attract and retain the people and talent we need, Little Rock was a natural choice for us."

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe (D) applauded the good news for his state. "LM Glasfiber adds another industry-leading company to Arkansas, and specifically to Little Rock," he said. "Not only does LM Glasfiber offer a global presence, but it will supply skilled and technical jobs to our citizens. LM Glasfiber also elevates Arkansas's presence among the growing state and national interest in the renewable energy industry. This development is another step forward for our state's economy in today's global marketplace." Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly, 7/20/2007.

Californians for Clean and Reliable Energy support Sunrise Powerlink in CA (Ind. Report)

Californians for Clean and Reliable Energy has announced their support of the Sunrise Powerlink, a 150-mile transmission line that would deliver reliable, renewable power from the Imperial Valley to San Diego, Calif.

The Sunrise Powerlink will be located in a region recently identified by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of the two weakest and most vulnerable power grids in the nation. The California PUC is currently holding hearings in San Diego, and is expected to vote on the project early next year after releasing a draft environmental impact report (EIR) in August, holding public hearings in September and issuing its final EIR in November. Source: Electric Net, July 20, '07.

2007 KS Renewable Energy Conference

After a record attendance of nearly 450 participants from 20 states in 2006, the 8th Annual Kansas Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Conference is shaping up to be bigger and better, educational and exciting, covering a wide range of energy topics of interest to Kansas citizens. It is scheduled for Sept. 25-26, 2007, at the Topeka Ramada Inn.

We are excited to announce Wes Jackson will be our Keynote speaker in 2007. Dr. Jackson was recognized in a Special Anniversary Edition Smithsonian Magazine as one of 35 scientists, artists and scholars.

2007 is proving to be an exciting year for renewable energy in Kansas, especially wind energy. Between December of 2006 and March of 2007, about 1,000 megawatts (MW) of potential new wind was announced by a number of the state's leading utilities. Be sure to join us at the Topeka Ramada Inn on September 25-26 for the Conference. Keep checking back for updates as the program is finalized. Online registration is now available. Source: Jim Ploger, 7/24/2007.

Energy Independence is Next Priority of Governors

Developing an energy policy encouraging independence from foreign oil will be the focus of the National Governors Association's agenda for the upcoming year. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, was installed today as the new president of the NGA and said working toward such a policy will be his top priority. He cited efforts from the states on conservation, the expansion of markets for alternative fuels and more research and development as ways the states can lead the national debate on energy policy. He also unveiled a new logo for the organization, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary at the summer meeting in Philadelphia next year.  The new logo capitalizes on the 100-year history of the NGA, and the organization's name is encased in a shooting yellow star. Source: By Kathleen Gray, Free Press Staff Writer, National Governors Association, 07/23/07.

Tri-State to Acquire 50-MW of Renewable Energy

Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, Inc. will seek proposals for about 50 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity from renewable energy resources later in the year. This will be the first major acquisition of new renewable energy resources for Tri-State and represents a turn-around from the company's stance of several years ago toward renewable energy. Tri-State Executive Vice President J.M. Shafer made the announcement Wednesday at company headquarters in Westminster. Shafer said the company is responding to requests from its member cooperatives in Colorado and New Mexico to add renewable resources to its system. As part of the announcement, Tri-State is seeking proposals immediately for 250 MW of combined cycle natural gas generation in eastern Colorado. The natural gas and renewable energy installations will increase the company's total generating capacity by 10 percent. Source: CRES Clips, 7/24/2007.

Renewable Energy as Community Strengthening

A study in the UK looked at renewable energy projects, and found an additional good point about them. Because so many of them are situated in rural communities, it tends to boost the local economy, something a lot of economically depressed rural areas really need, and in addition, it helps to create and maintain a better sense of this "community". Although various projects are contentious and not everyone is always pleased, overall they have a net social benefit along with the additional energy boost.

This study documented more than 500 community energy projects happening in the UK, far more than researchers expected to find. "There is a huge demand for this," says project leader Professor Gordon Walker. "It's no longer a question of convincing the public that small scale renewable energy is a good idea. Whenever money is made available it is snapped up immediately, and the funding schemes have been horribly over-subscribed." Source: Technocrat.com, 7/24/2007.

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Grants, RFPs & Other Funding News

Up to 100 Megawatts Sought

Following its May 2007 announcement that it will seek proposals for additional wind-energy development, Nebraska Public Power District issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of future wind-powered generation projects. The Request For Proposal is for a total of up to100 Megawatts of wind-powered generation capacity, associated energy and renewable energy credits to be located near NPPD transmission facilities with a target operational date of December 31, 2008. A successful proposal will require the negotiation of a Power Purchase Agreement for NPPD to purchase electricity from the proposed facility over a 20-year period.

The District will seek to enter into one or more Power Purchase Agreements based upon the proposals and subsequent negotiations. The deadline for submitting a proposal to NPPD has been set for August 20, 2007, at 5 p.m. (CDT). NPPD expects to make a final decision in the October-November time-frame which will allow time to compare the proposals and complete detailed negotiations. Due to the interest in the development of wind-powered energy for Nebraska, NPPD designed the RFP process to encourage Community Based Energy Development (C-BED) projects and other private developers to submit formal proposals. "We are interested in adding an initial 100 megawatts of wind-powered generation, and more in the future," said NPPD President and CEO Ron Asche. NPPD will use several methods to announce the RFP to potential wind energy developers including notices in numerous newspapers around the state. Source: NPPD, 7/16/2007.

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